02-06-2025
Overturned Castaic Lake paddleboarder identified but still missing
Authorities have identified a paddleboarder who overturned amid strong winds on Castaic Lake Sunday afternoon, prompting an ongoing search.
Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the 32000 block of Castaic Lake Drive after receiving reports that a man and a woman had flipped over in the lake's lower lagoon area.
The woman, who was wearing a life jacket, was quickly pulled out of the water to safety, but her companion was not seen after the incident.
He was identified as 61-year-old Espiridion Philip 'Speedy' Camez by the L.A. County Sheriff's Department on Monday.
Camez was described as 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing about 210 pounds. He has hazel eyes and was last seen wearing a black tank top, blue shorts and white water shoes.
Footage of the incident posted to the Citizen App showed onlookers, as well as first responders, scanning the lake as rescue crews conducted their search on Sunday.
A Sheriff's Department helicopter was also circling the lake, looking for signs of the missing man.
Officials on Monday said that the call initially came out as a missing kayaker, but investigators discovered it was a paddleboarder after arriving at the scene.
The Sheriff's Department also confirmed Monday that Camez remained missing.
Anyone with further information was encouraged to contact the Sheriff's Department's Missing Persons Detail at 323-890-5500.
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